Terminal 1 – is the international terminal for ALL foreign airlines except All Nippon Airways (ANA), which uses Terminal 3. It is located along the Ninoy Aquino Avenue from the NAIA Road.

Terminal 2 – also called the Centennial Terminal because it opened in the year the Philippines celebrated 100 years of proclamation of independence from Spain (1998). It is used exclusively by Philippine Airlines (PAL) for both international and domestic flights. International flights use the north wing while domestic ones use the south wing. Recently, PAL transferred several domestic flights to Terminal 3, retaining only major domestic destinations at Terminal 2 (e.g., Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, etc.). For a complete list on which domestic flights are on T2 or T3, one can consult the PAL website. Terminal 2 is located at the end of NAIA Road.

Terminal 3 – the newest of the three main terminals, it is located beside Villamor Air Base (actually part of it was carved out of the base) and across from the Resorts World Manila complex. It is used mainly by Cebu Pacific (Ceb Pac), currently the country’s largest airline, for both international and domestic flights. Other airlines using Terminal 3 are ANA and Airphil Express, which is a budget subsidiary of PAL. The terminal is located along Andrews Avenue at the end of Sales Road (from Fort Bonifacio).

Domestic Terminal – now also called Terminal 4, it is the old terminal along the Domestic Road that used to be called the Manila Domestic Terminal where PAL, Cebu Pacific and other airlines used to operate domestic flights. At present, it is used by Zest Air and Seair.

It is quite easy to transfer between domestic and international flights if you happen to fly Ceb Pac since all flights operate out of Terminal 3 and the airline provides assistance through its transfer desk. The same used to be the case for PAL when all flights were out of Terminal 2. But then after PAL transferred flights to Terminal 3, many passengers would now have to travel between Terminals 2 and 3. The most inconvenient cases are for travelers transferring to or from international flights at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 is quite near and can easily be reached via shuttle bus. The more challenging transfer is between Terminals 1 or 2 and Terminal 3. Shuttle buses would have to go through the NAIA Road, the Domestic Road the Airport Road

There are no internal connections between the 4 terminals operating within the NAIA complex such as AGTs, monorails. There are shuttle buses that travel between these terminals but they use the public roads rather than an internal road exclusive for the airport. As such, these shuttles are subject to traffic congestion and possible delays. The MIAA website states that using the shuttle buses are free but I saw a sign at Terminal 3 showing that there is a flat rate of PhP 20. While the fare would probably cover fuel, maintenance and other costs, it can also be argued that this service should be free at least for passengers and covered by airport authorities as part of the services they provide to travelers. Perhaps passengers can present their tickets before boarding the bus. Others may be required to pay the PhP 20 fare.

Bus station/stop at the NAIA Terminal 3 – the station is located at ground level (arrivals) beneath one of the overpasses (departure level) and across from the airport taxi stand (shown in the photo). Shuttle buses are scheduled to depart every 15 minutes according to the sign.

38 Comments

Terminal 4 is the old domestic terminal. There is a shuttle bus going around the terminals. Not sure about the schedule but it shouldn’t take you more than 1 hour if the roads are congested. Better check with airport staff about terminal transfers.

What’s the best thing to do with going from terminal 2 to terminal 3. I have a connecting flight from SIngapore to manila then to cagayan. PAL is telling me that theres no way for the baggage to go all the way to domestic. What a pain in the a**s I will have kids with me. my layover is 3hr and 50 minutes. Lucky I dont arrive at night time.

Are you transferring to a PAL domestic flight? If so, then they should be able to provide transfer assistance. If not (Cebu Pacific to Cagayan?) then you really would have to take all your luggage and then take a taxi or shuttle bus from Terminal 2 to 3. There are free airport shuttle buses between the terminals so you only need to walk to the stop at Terminal 2 to wait for and board a bus. Your more than 3 hours layover is safe for you to comfortably travel from T2 to T3. Just do the online check-in so you can just do the baggage drop when you arrive at T3.

hello,
I will be landing in manila NAIA 1 at 4:35am from sg and i need to transfer to NAIA 3 for my flight to seoul which takes off that 7:10am (2hrs 30mins transfer). Do i have enough time to transfer via yellow taxi to NAIA 3.

How long will the taxi journey be at that timing?
Is immigration at NAIA 1 fast?

Sorry for the very late reply but I hope you had no problems with the transfer from NAIA T1 to T3. That early, there should have been no serious traffic problems between the two terminals and you could avail of the airport shuttle instead of the taxi.

I arrive at NAIA T1 on a Qantas flight and then have 3 hours before catching a United flight also from T1 to Palau. Will that be enough time to pick up luggage/clear customs and checkin at the United desk? Many thanks.

I think you will have enough time to pick up your luggage and clear customs since it is the same terminal. I recall there was a transfer desk at the airport for passengers in transit so that might also help.

I will arrive in terminal 3 on Tuesday at 6:10pm via Cebu Pacific, my flight to Singapore via Tiger Air Terminal 1 is at 10:10pm. Is the time enough for transfer? I have no check in baggage, only hand carry. Thanks!

Good day im going to arrived late at 11 pm i dont have any relative to catch me at the naia terminal 1 and im scared to travel alone at night my plan is wait until morning to go home in laguna, is there any place in terminal 1 to sleep like in terminal 3.thank you

If you intend to leave the airport and comeback the following morning then you have to take your luggage and clear customs. If you choose to stay then you can just make arrangements with the airline since that will be a case of a connecting flight via manila.

Yes thats possible since T4 is closer to T3 than to the other 2 terminals. But if your transferring to an international flight at T3, then it will be very tight. Are you traveling light? Waiting for your bags and checking them in will also take time. I also suggest you do online check in so you dont hve to line up for the longer queues at T3 counters.

We are arriving via China Airlines at 0940, so I believe that will be in Terminal 1? How long does it take to travel from there to Terminal 2 (PAL domestic) or Terminal 4 (Cebu Pac domestic)? Please help. Greatly appreciated! =)

It should be less than 10 minutes travel time between T1 and T2 as they are close to each other and shuttles need not take the outer public roads to get from T1 to T2 (there’s a road linking them). Cebu Pacific is at Terminal 3 and that should take at least 30minutes in the late morning as you will use public roads. There are also free shuttle service between the terminals.

I am traveling Singapore-Manila-Bacolod and v.v. all sectors with PAL (conncting flights). In Manila all arrivals/departures are in T2. But one flight is international one is domestic.
Q1: Do I pass the immigration in MNL or in BCD (is there any?)?
Q2: Is it possible to check-through the baggage from SIN to BCD v.v. or should I have to pickup the baggage in MNL and make there a customs clereans?

A1. You will likely go through immigration in Manila and not in Bacolod (only international flights direct to or from BCD have their passengers go through immigration there last time I checked).
A2. I think you can check-in your baggage for SIN-BCD since its the same airline. Worst case scenario isn;t too bad since PAL provides for transfer service between their international and domestic flights. Just ask their attendants or go to the transfer desk as the terminal.

Based on your itinerary, you might have some trouble if the arrival in Manila is delayed. Also, since you’re taking Philippine Airlines, the plane will arrive at Terminal 2. Your flight from Manila to Coron is at Terminal 4 so you will have to travel between the 2 terminals. Depending on traffic (because you will use the roads and the airport shuttle as there is no direct connection between Terminals 2 and 4), you might not be able to make your flight to Coron. You’re schedule is too tight. I suggest you get an earlier flight from HK or a later flight to Coron.

Me and my friend is flying from Bali to Manila with Philippine Airlines PR 538 in terminal 2, arriving there at 5.25 AM 25th of June. Then we have to catch a flight to El Nido in Terminal 4, thats leave at 9.55AM, but check in clozed at 9.10.
Do you know by change if we can pay for the prepaid baggage at the airport to Airswift?
And do you know if arriving in Manila at 5.25AM in june is rush hour?

Do you know if you will make it to our flight to El Nido?

And if the only option is to take taxi from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4 to go fast? 🙂

Since you are arriving at 5:25 AM and check-in closes at 9:!0 AM, you have more than enough time to travel between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4. That’s still early in the morning so perhaps it won’t even take 30 minutes between the terminals and you can take the shuttle bus connecting them. Traffic becomes bad perhaps from 7:00 AM so you’re safe. I’m sorry but I am not familiar with Airswift and its baggage policies. Kindly check their website or contact them directly to inquire about your baggage concerns.

Hello, I am arriving at NAIA T2 from Vancouver via PAL 8:55AM. My flight to Naga City via Cebu Pac is at 12:55PM at NAIA T4. So I have about 4 hours. Is that enough time to go through customs, pickup luggage and transfer? Also, is there a place to grab food at T4? Thanks!

been searching high and low or this, and i finally found this, thank god.

here’s my situation, I am travelling from Papua New Guinea (16/6/2017) with philipine airline (PAL) and arrive in Manila at 1pm that day (Terminal 2), and my next flight, which is 2 hours away (3.05pm) at Terminal 1 (Malaysia Airline) to Kuala Lumpur. will there be enough time to transfer to the next flight? is there a fastest way to transfer between the terminals? and btw, i only have a carry-on luggage.

I bought another ticket with Airasia just in case (4 hours away at 5PM), at terminal 3. I bought the MAS ticket before I knew the terminal transferring problem at NAIA airport. I ask the above question bcos if there is enough time, I may take the 3pm flight, so that i arrive earlier. if not.. i will just take the 5pm flight.

There should be enough time to travel from terminal 2 to 1 since they are close. Does MAS have an online check in feature that will be helpful considering you only have carry on luggage? Good luck with the immigration lines though. Theyre pretty bad for terminal 1.

thx for the reply. i can check in right here in PNG if i am not mistaken, get my boarding pass right away. the security check in is my main concern.. long queues.. so, lets just see how it goes. if i cant make it, i will just head to terminal 3 for the other flight. btw, is walking to terminal 1 a good idea? i might just walk if the traffic is bad

The security check in manila is quite efficient. Its the immigration line that might delay you. But thats already after youve checked in so your airline might just help you along. Theres a free shuttle connecting T2 and T1 so you can spre yourself the walk.

hi, i haven’t been to MNL in 3 years, not sure if traffic has changed..

but i land in MNL at 7:45am in terminal 2 and need to go to terminal 4 for a flight at 11:00am. that means i will need to be at terminal 4 by 10:15am. will i have enough time? i won’t have any check in bags, so i wouldn’t need to go to baggage claim.. anyone with info, would be much appreciated